India Research Funding Crisis | Science & Tech News
- Indian researchers are grappling with financial instability due to delayed payments and funding discrepancies under the government's science and technology initiatives.
- The INSPIRE programme offers fellowships to postgraduate and doctoral researchers in fields ranging from agriculture to nanotechnology.
- However, many researchers report significant delays in receiving these funds.
Indian researchers face a funding crisis, with unpaid stipends and budget cuts impacting vital science and technology initiatives. The INSPIRE scheme delays are leaving young scientists in precarious situations, as highlighted in this crucial report. While the government shifts focus to private sector R&D, concerns arise regarding research commercialization and potential brain drain. Discover how these changes affect the “role” of Indian researchers and the future of science, while navigating the challenges. News Directory 3 provides in-depth analysis. Discover what’s next for Indian science…
Indian Researchers Face Funding Delays Amid Government Scheme Changes
Indian researchers are grappling with financial instability due to delayed payments and funding discrepancies under the government’s science and technology initiatives. the INSPIRE scheme, designed to support promising young scientists, has been plagued by months of unpaid stipends, leaving many fellows in precarious situations.
The INSPIRE programme offers fellowships to postgraduate and doctoral researchers in fields ranging from agriculture to nanotechnology. PhD fellows are supposed to receive between 37,000 rupees ($435) and 42,000 rupees ($494) monthly for living expenses, plus an annual research allowance of 20,000 rupees ($235). Faculty fellows are offered teaching positions with a monthly salary of 125,000 rupees ($1,470) and an annual research grant of 700,000 rupees ($8,232). In 2024-25, 653 fellows were enrolled in the PhD program, and 85 in the faculty program.
However, many researchers report significant delays in receiving these funds. A faculty fellow in eastern India, who requested anonymity, said he has not received payments since September 2024, preventing him from attending a crucial conference. Sayali Atkare, a PhD student, highlighted the issue on LinkedIn, noting the lack of response from officials. Another PhD fellow joked about the unlikelihood of getting through to authorities by phone.
in May,Abhay Karandikar,secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DST),acknowledged the delays and promised resolution by june 2025,stating that all scholars would receive timely payments going forward. Al Jazeera’s requests for comment from relevant ministers and DST officials went unanswered.
These funding issues coincide with the government’s consolidation of three R&D schemes into Vigyan Dhara, intended to streamline fund utilization. While officials claimed a significant increase in funding for Vigyan Dhara, from 3.30 billion rupees ($38.39 million) to 14.25 billion rupees ($167.58 million), this figure is misleading. The 3.30 billion rupees was only for the last quarter of the previous fiscal year. The combined budget of the three replaced schemes was 18.27 billion rupees ($214.93 million), effectively resulting in a 22% budget decrease.
the budget for Vigyan Dhara’s constituent schemes has decreased 67.5% from 43.89 billion rupees ($513.2 million) in the 2016-17 financial year to 14.25 billion rupees ($167.6 million) in the 2025-26 financial year.
Conversely, the government has earmarked 200 billion rupees ($2.35 billion) for the new Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) scheme targeting the private sector, part of a larger 1-trillion-rupee ($11.76 billion) corpus for long-term financing at low or no interest rates. Officials have stated that these changes aim to transform India into a “product nation,” increase patent filings, and reduce brain drain.
Lal Chandra Vishwakarma, president of the All-India Research Scholars Association, criticized the shift in focus. “The government throws around big terms, but those toiling in laboratories are suffering,” Vishwakarma said, advocating for stipends comparable to central government salaries and timely monthly payments.
Many researchers now favor fellowships abroad due to better research conditions and support. An IIT professor noted that researchers often downplay funding costs to improve their chances of securing government projects, which can hinder cutting-edge research. A theoretical mathematician PhD fellow added that DST typically takes at least three months to release installments after document submission.
“Right now, I would say only people with privilege [and high-income backgrounds] should be in academia. Not because that’s how it should be, but because for others, it’s just so hard,” the IIT professor said.
What’s next
The future of scientific research in India hinges on addressing these funding disparities and providing adequate support to researchers, ensuring that financial constraints do not impede innovation and progress.